Textile apparatus



July 28, 1953 E. JOHNSON ErAL 2,646,937

TEXTILE APPARATUS STARTER T JNVENTORS ELMER 1 JOHNSON, c ARL. R. DEL/GRANGE uBY Wim ATTORNEYS July 28 1953 E. L. JoHNsoN ET A1. 2,646,937

TEXTILE APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENToRs ELMER L; JOHNSON. CARL R. DELAC'QRANGE AT1-ORN evs.

Patented July 28, 1953 TEXTILE APPARATUS Elmer L. Johnson, Pearisburg, and Carl R. Delagrange, Ripplemead, Va., assignors to Celanese Corporation of America, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Delaware Application June 23, 1949, Serial No. 100,862

Claims.

This invention relates to textile apparatus and relates more particularly to textile apparatus wherein a plurality of yarn packages are wound simultaneously and dolfed in predetermined order.

In the production and processing of filamentary materials, such as yarns, threads, cord, etc., hereinafter called yarns, it is customary to wind simultaneously a plurality of yarns, as they leave the apparatus in which they are formed or treated, onto a plurality of yarn packages. If the feed of yarns to the winding apparatus is continuous for a period of time longer than is required to ll a yarn package, as in the production of artificial yarns, the yarn packages must be doffed after a predetermined quantity of yarn has been wound thereon. It has heretofore been the practice to have an operator periodically doff a group of yarn packages in predetermined order, in which case unavoidable differences arise in the quantity of yarn on the yarn packages owing to the variations in the time required for the operator to dofi each yarn package. Since the variations in the cloning time may be cumulative, these differences may be quite appreciable when a large number of yarn packages are doifed. Such differences are highly objectionable, particularly when the yarns from the yarn packages are to be formed into a warp, since all the yarn packages must be replaced when the yarn has been drawn completely from the package having the smallest quantity of yarn thereon. In an effort to prevent the production of yarn packages of varying yarn content, it has previously been proposed to provide means for indicating when each yarn package is ready for doliing. However, it has been found that the operator often fails to or cannot keep abreast of the indicating means and, as a result, differences in the quantity oi' the yarn 'wound on the yarn packages still occur.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a textile apparatus having means for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages, which will be free from the foregoing and other disadvantages of prior apparatus and which will be especially simple in construction and eicient in operation. ,Y

A further object of this invention is the provision, in a textile apparatus having means for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages, of means for automatically stopping the winding operation of the yarn packages in predetermined order when the yarn packages are ready to be doifed.

Other objects of this invention, together with 2 certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will be apparent from the following detailed description and claims.

In accordance with our invention, a textile apparatus having means for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages has associated therewith means for automatically stopping the winding operation of a group of yarn packages in predetermined order when the yarn packages are ready to be doifed, whereby the production of yarn packages containing different amounts of yarn thereon is substantially prevented. The means for automatically stopping the winding operation of the group of yarn packages may be caused to operate periodically by a timing mechanism, which is set in accordance with the winding speed to produce yarn packages containing the desired quantity of yarn thereon. In addition, the timing mechanism may actuate a signal means to advise the operator that the doing of a group of yarn packages is to begin and also give warning if the operator fails to attend the textile apparatus within a predetermined period of time thereafter. By the application of this invention, erratic dofng is eliminated, resulting in an improvement of the quality of the finished yarn packages due to the uniformity of the package weights.

A preferred embodiment of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings where- 1n Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a filament spinning apparatus to which our invention is applied,

Fig. 2 is a sideelevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the circuit for the timing mechanism, signal means and warning means.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral II designates each of a plurality of spindles, which spindles are driven by any suitable means (not shown) and upon which are mounted bobbins I2 to receive a winding of yarn. Each of the spindles II is provided, in a manner well understood in the art, with a spindle brake that is actuated by a brake handle I3 which is normally manually operated to stop the rotation of the spindle and the bobbin I2 mounted there- Mounted below the spindles II is an endless belt such as an articulate chain I4 to which travellers I5 and I6 are fastened at points spaced apart a distance equal to one-half the length of the chain. The chain I4 is trained around a driving sprocket I'I and an idler sprocket I8 and is supported throughout its length by slotted pipes I9 that prevent the chain from sagging. An electric motor 2| drives the chain I through a speed reducer 22 and a gear train including a gear 23 fastened to the speed reducer 22, a gear 24, which is meshed with the gear 23, a gear 25 fastened to the gear 24, and a gear 25 which is' meshed with the gear 25 and which is fastened to the driving sprocket Il.

As the chain I4 moves, it carries the traveller I to the left and into contact with a lever 21 that is fastened to a hinge28 mounted on an angle-iron support 29. The continued motion of the traveller I5 exerts an upward pressure on the lever 2T, which causes said lever to impose a downward force on the spindle brake handle I3, causing the spindle brake to stop the rotation of the spindle II and the bobbin I2 mounted thereon. When the spindle I I stops, the operator doirs the bobbin I2 and replaces it with an empty bobbin. The traveller I5 then passes beyond the end of the lever 2 releasing the spindle brake andpermitting the spindle II with the empty bobbin I2 thereon to rotate once more, at which time the operator engages the yarn with the empty bobbin I2 so that the winding operation is resumed.

The continued motion of the traveller i5 then carries it into contact with the next lever 21 vvhere the entire cycle is repeated. The operator keeps abreast of the traveller i5 and his individual skill may be accommodated e7 adjusting the speed of the chain iii. When 'the traveller I5 has been carried the full length of the spinning machine, it contacts a limit switch 3D, which causes the motor 2| to be stopped. At this time, the traveller` i6 is in the proper position to initiate the next cycle. When a very large lnumber of spindles II are operated in a single line, limit switches similar to the limit switch 3) may be provided to stop the traveller I5 at one or more intermediate points. This makes vit possible to time the doing operation so `that there can be rest periods for the operator during the process of doling a complete machine.

The operation of the motor 2| is controlled by an adjustable timer 3i that is connected acrossa power line 32. At predetermined intervals, depending upon the winding speed and the total quantity of yarn to be wound on each of the bobbins 2, the timer BI operates a relay 33, energizing a starter Eid to connect the motor 2lv to a power linel 35. The operation of the relay 33 also causes pilot lights 35 and 31, which may be located at the spinning machine and at a central control point, respectively, to light and sounds a horn Si) as a signal that dofing is to begin. At the same time, an interval timer 39 is energized. The relay 33 is equipped with a holding coil so that current continues to flow through the pilot lights 36 and 31, the horn 38 and the interval timer 39 until the operator -depresses a push button switch dI located at the spinning machine to signify that he is in position to begin dong. If, however, the operator fails to depress the push buttonswitch 4I within a predetermined interval after the relay 33 is closed, the contacts of the intervaltimer 39 close, energizing warning lights 2 and 43, which may be located at the'spinning'machine: and at a central control 4 point, respectively, and causing a Warning horn 44 to sound. As shown, the limit switch 3B is connected to the starter 34 and upon being opened causes the motor 2l to be stopped.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is given merely by Way 0f illustration and that many variations may be made therein Without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Having described our invention, what We desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a device for simultaneously Winding a plurality of-yarn packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the fyarn packages and a irictional Contact spindle brake for each spindle, of automatic means for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the'rotation of said spindles.

2. In a device for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a frictional contact spindle brake for each spindle, of automatic means for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles, and timing means for periodically initiating the action of said automatic means.

3. In a device for simultaneously Winding a plurality of yarn packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a rictional Contact spindle brake for each spindle, of automatic means for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles, and signal means -or indicating that the action of the automatic means for halting the rotation of said spindles is to begin.

fr. n a device for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a frictional contact spindle brake for each spindle, of automatic means for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles, timing means for periodically initiating the action of the means for halting the rotation of said spindles, and separate signal means for indicating that the action of the means for halting the rotation of saidspindles is to begin.

5. In a device for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a frictional contact spindle brake for each spindle, oi automatic means for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles, and warning means including an interval timer for indicating that the `textile apparatus is unattended after rotation of a spindle has been halted by the operation Aof said automatic means.

6. In a device for simultaneously Winding a plurality of yarn packages, the combination with a plurality ofvspindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a frictional contact spindle brake for each spindle, of automatic means for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles, timing means for periodically initiating the action of the means for vhalting the rotationl of said spindles, signal means for indicating that the action of the means for halting the rotation of said spindles is to begin, and warning means including an interval timer for indicating that the textile apparatus is unattended after rotation of a spindle has been halted by the operation of said automatic means.

7. In a device for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a spindle brake for each spindle, of an endless belt positioned to pass adjacent to said spindles, and a traveller fastened to said belt for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles.

8. In a device for simultaneously Winding a plurality of yarns packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a Spindle brake for each spindle, of an endless belt positioned to pass adjacent to said spindles, and a pair of travellers fastened to said belt at points spaced apart a distance equal to one-half the length of said belt, said travellers operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles.

9. In a device for simultaneously Winding a plurality of yarn packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a spindle brake for each spindle, of an endless belt positioned to pass adjacent to said spindles, a traveller fastened to said belt for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles, a drive for moving said belt relative to said spindle and a timer for periodically starting said drive.

10. In a device for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a spindle brake for each spindle, of an endless belt positioned to pass adjacent to said spindles, a traveller fastened to said belt for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation oi said spindles, a drive for moving said belt relative to said spindle, a timer for periodically starting said drive, and a limit switch actuated by said traveller for stopping said drive.

11. In a device for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a spindle brake for each spindle, of an endless belt positioned to pass adjacent to said spindles, a traveller fastened to said belt for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles, a drive for moving said belt relative to said spindle, a timer for periodically starting said drive, and signal means for indicating that the drive is started.

12. In a device for simultaneously Winding a plurality of yarn packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a spindle brake for each spindle, of an endless belt positioned to pass adjacent to said spindles, a traveller fastened to said belt for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles, a drive for moving said belt relative to said spindles, signal means for indicating that the drive is started, an interval timer, warning means operated by said interval timer for indicating that the textile apparatus is not attended, a timer for periodically starting said drive and energizing said signal means and said interval timer, and manually operable means for preventing the operation of said warning means.

13. In a device for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages and a spindle brake for each spindle, of an endless belt positioned to pass adjacent to said spindles, a pair of travellers fastened to said belt at points spaced apart a distance equal to one-half of the length of said belt, said travellers operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles, a drive for moving said belt relative to said spindles, signal means for indicating that the drive is started, an interval timer, warning means operated by said interva1 timer for indicating that the textile apparatus is not attended, a timer for periodically starting said drive and energizing said signal means and said interval timer, manually operable means for preventing the operating of said warning means, and a limit switch actuated by said traveller for stopping said drive when said traveller has passed said spindles.

14. In a device for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages in which the feed of yarns to the winding apparatus is continuous, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages about a stationary axis of rotation and a spindle brake for each spindle, of automatic means for operating on said spindle brakes in predetermined order to cause the latter to halt the rotation of said spindles. ,f

15. In a device for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarn packages in which the feed of yarns to the winding apparatus is continuous, the combination with a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the yarn packages, each spindle having stopping means for halting the rotation thereof, actuating means movable successively to a series of operating positions, at each of which said actuating means operates on a stopping means to cause the latter to halt the rotation of a spindle, and automatic means for moving said actuating means successively to said operative positions in predetermined order.

ELMER. L. JOHNSON. CARL R. DELAGRANGE.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

